A tense atmosphere was experienced around the Cathedral of Lima during the tour of the seven churches, an event that gathered thousands of worshippers at the beginning of Holy Week. The crowding of people led to disorder and arguments among those waiting to enter the temple. One of the most alarming incidents occurred when a gas cylinder from a street vendor malfunctioned, causing a sudden flare-up and loud noises. This situation caused panic, as many attendees mistook the noise for gunfire. One of the citizens present expressed her distress and mentioned that the scare particularly affected children. Authorities, including personnel from the Municipality of Lima, quickly controlled the situation, and no injuries were reported. However, the National Police indicated that the massive influx of people caused control issues, with constant pushing and fainting among attendees due to exhaustion. In light of this situation, worshippers were advised to take additional precautions in the remaining days of the celebrations, especially regarding crowd management and when attending with children or elderly individuals, to avoid further incidents. For more details on the closure of Lima’s Historic Center and its impact on the celebrations, you can consult this note.
